If you have ever looked for a job before,
you have participated in a job interview. As you know, the
job interview is a very common and very effective method used
by employers to select people for jobs. It may be the only
time in the selection process when employer and applicant
are face to face, making personal and professional judgments
about each other.
It should come as no surprise to you that
there is a technique to successful job interviewing. A job
applicant who masters the fine art of interviewing has a definite
competitive edge over other applicants. This information will
answer some of the questions that are probably on your mind
about interviewing. The intent is to provide you with tools
to sharpen your interview skills, giving you a special advantage
in today's job market.
The job interview is the best opportunity
you have to gather facts about a job and to sell yourself
to a potential employer. In most cases the decision on whether
or not you are hired will be made based on the results of
the interview. Of course, other factors, such as your resume
and recommendations, play an important role. However, the
element of personal contact, the interview, provides the most
critical information to the employer: Will you fit in? Are
you confident as well as competent? Does the employer feel
at ease with you personally as well as professionally? The
impression you make at the interview will remain with the
employer long after the details of your resume have been forgotten
and will have major influence on the employer's final hiring
decision.
You can increase the amount of control you
have during an interview by preparing in advance. A well-prepared
applicant is much more likely to impress an interviewer with
his or her alertness, competence and confidence. If your answers
are well thought out and direct, you will find you will be
much more at ease. The more comfortable you are, the better
the interview is bound to go.
What
you can do specifically in preparing for an interview:
Ask your placement consultant for as many
details as possible about the job for which you will be interviewing.
Your consultant can tell you about the skill requirements
and overall responsibilities of the job. Both of you can then
look at your background and talents and determine exactly
what makes you right for this job.
Know your own background and work history.
The interviewer will probably ask questions about things noted
on your resume or job application. Be sure you remember positions
you have held and the nature of your responsibilities in all
past activities. It will be to your advantage if you can relate
your past experience to the new job requirements.
Develop a clear idea of your own professional
goals. Many potential employers will be interested in knowing
whether a position will be "just a job" for you
or a commitment to personal achievement. The question is usually
handled by asking you about your long range plans or professional
goals. Professional goals do not necessarily include a desire
to get to the top in as short a period of time as possible.
Many people have as their career goal, to be productive by
putting their skills to use in a pleasant atmosphere. Discuss
your goals with your placement consultant. This information
will help you far beyond the interview.
Know your own strengths and weaknesses. Remember,
in an interview situation you are trying to sell yourself
to a potential employer. Of course you will want to emphasize
your strong points and capabilities whenever possible. You
should be prepared, however, to answer a question about your
weaknesses. You can actually make your "weaknesses"
work for you in an interview by preparing a response to include
both the nature of the weakness and plans you have made to
overcome it. The interviewer will be very impressed at your
ability to understand and deal with your own professional
shortcomings.
As you can see, it is important to do your
homework before going on an interview. A little bit of preparation
can make all the difference when you are face to face with
a potential employer.
Your dress, attitude, tone of voice and mannerisms
all create a very strong impression. An interviewer uses the
impression to make judgements about such critical features
as your reliability, confidence and ability to adjust to new
situations.
Be polite, alert and calm. Surprisingly, many
interviewers are just as uneasy as you are in this situation.
You can put the interviewer at ease by indicating, through
your attitude, genuine interest in the discussion. If you
appear calm and courteous, the interviewer's task will be
made easier - a plus for you!
Dress appropriately for the interview. Although
each situation is different, requiring different attire, some
general rules apply. Avoid wearing outlandish clothes. Try
to estimate what other people in the office might be wearing
and dress accordingly. It is most important to be neat. You
may want to discuss appropriate dress with your consultant.
Expressing enthusiasm for the job components
and for your role may get you the job. Enthusiasm is contagious!
If you are sincere in your enthusiasm for the job characteristics,
working conditions and your ability to be successful, the
interviewer will be enthusiastic about you.
Always speak positively about former experiences.
A common mistake made by job applicants is to use the interview
to complain about a previous employer. You can find something
positive in any experience and that is what you should emphasize.
Always speak positively about your abilities.
The interviewer will be looking for someone with self-confidence.
You can create a good impression by speaking highly of your
proven capabilities and of your ability to acquire new skills.
Sit properly, avoid nervous habits and avoid
smoking or chewing gum. Non-verbal communication, also known
as body language is 90% of communication (verbal 10%). This
is important for you to remember. Body language creates an
impression about your attitude, enthusiasm and self-confidence,
so be aware. Also be sure to give direct eye contact when
speaking and when listening to your interviewer. By doing
this you will demonstrate your self-confidence and honesty.
Clearly, your manner and appearance are extremely
important components of a successful interview. Interviewers
react favorably to warmth, self-confidence, positive attitudes,
politeness and alertness.
Most interviewers will question you in one
of two ways. Either they will follow a series of questions
and answers to get certain information or they will ask you
to talk about yourself and your skills in a less structured
manner. If you have prepared yourself as suggested earlier,
you should have no difficulty with either approach.
Answer each question directly, with little
hesitation and do not stray from the subject. Examples can
frequently enhance your answer by pointing out experience
you have had related to the interviewer's questions. Avoid
taking time to discuss incidents that are not directly related
to the conversation. Be as specific as possible.
The interviewer may ask you personal questions
to determine your ability to perform the job. Be prepared
to answer these questions so that your response is job related.
Emphasize how you have successfully balanced your personal
and professional life in the past and shall continue to do
so in the future. Cite favorable absentee records or job recommendations
in support of your claim.
More than likely you will be asked why you
are looking for a new job in this area. The answer to this
question will stem partly from your professional goals and
partly from reasons for leaving previous jobs. Present a clear
answer that shows you have given the question a lot of thought.
The interviewer will be convinced that you have a genuine
interest in the specific job.
You will probably be asked if you have any
questions. This is your chance to interview the interviewer
and should be used to its fullest advantage. Again, prepare
a mental list of questions about the job duties, degree of
office pressure, number of people you will be working with,
etc. The interviewer will take some time to answer questions
to help you make a decision. Choose your questions carefully.
Avoid discussing benefits, sick days, and the like on your
first meeting. Someone who seeks important information before
making a decision will favorably impress the interviewer.
Your final words in an interview will leave
the most lasting impression in the interviewer's memory. However
you choose to make your departure, remember to do so on a
positive note. Here are some hints for a positive close to
an interview.
Thank the interviewer for his or her time.
A genuine expression of gratitude for being given a chance
to interview is always appreciated.
Send a thank you note. This is a very thoughtful
touch which allows you to thank the interviewer for his or
her time and to reaffirm your interest in the job.
In an interview, even saying goodbye makes
an impression. Your comments and attitude should be well controlled
during your entire meeting right through to the end.
